Method of treating soils



b and disappointment.

Patented Sept. 27, 1932 PATENT OFFICE HAROLD P. VANNAH, OF WEST PALMBEACH,

PANY, OF BERLIN, NEW HAMPSHIRE,

FLORIDA, ASSIGNOR TO BROWN COMI- A CORPORATION OF MAINE METHOD OFTREATING SOILS No Drawing.

This invention or discovery relates to the treatment of soils and moreparticularly those soils of a peat nature. There are large areas of landof which the Everglades regions of Florida is an example, which haveheretofore been non-productive insofar as the growth of edible crops isconcerned. Endeavors to raise crops ofvarious kinds on cleared areas ofthese lands have resulted in monetary loss Various attempts have beenmade to ascertain the reason for the failure of crops. In some cases thefailures have been due to a variety of causes. Such lands are usuallyrich in nitrogen and would 5 appear to be fertile insofar as nitrogen isnecessary to plant growth, but on the other hand the nitrogenis' sodistributed as to be injurious to plant growth. Again, the soil of theEverglades and particularly that of the sawgrass region, seems to beparticularly suitable for the growth of destructive organisms of thecharacter of fungi which have rendered futile the attempts to securecrop yields. One of the dangers, however, of treating the soil to secureimmunity from such organisms, is that of destroying the benign orbeneficent bacteria which are necessary for crop growth. While it istrue, as f has been pointed out in an application for Letters Patent byArthur Frank and myself, that specific treatment is necessary for theelimination of and destruction of certain fungi such as Actinomycesscabies, yet such specific treatment may be necessary only for certainfungi and does not otherwise favorabl affect the soil.

s a result of long continued experimental work both in raising crops ofcertain kinds and conducting researches into the nature of lo the soiland its constituents, I have discovered that it is possible, as I maycall it, to amend the soil so as to make possible the growth of variouscrops with a productive yield. I have made the discovery that as ageneral .5 rule if the soil be treated with zinc compound or with amixture of the compounds of 'certain metals, particularly copper andzinc, it is possible to secure substantial immunity from the attack ofmany of the micro-organ- 0 isms, without injury to the beneficial bac-Application filed August 15, 1929. Serial No. 386,229;

teria, and also to secure a luxuriant plant growth and a large yield ofthe crop-when harvested. As illustrative of the crops that may be grownto advantage in such reclaimed areas treated as herein described, I mayrefer to solanaceous plants, e. g., potatoes,'toma toes and egg-plants;root crops, e. g., beets and the like; legumes, e. g., peanuts, beans,peas; and miscellaneous crops e. g., lettuce, cabbage, spinach, sugarcane, corn, etc.

In accordance with my invention or discovery, I treat the soil with azinc compound or preferably with a mixture of the compounds of zinc andcopper, as I have found that the results achieved bya mixture comprisingthese compounds are much better or greater than the results from thetreatment of the soil with either. The selection of the particularcompound depends upon its availability and its cost, for while betterresults are obtained by other compounds of these metals, neverthelessthe cost thereof may be prohibitive. For example, while it is possibleto employ the carbonate, hydroxide, oxide, sulfide or chloride of themetal, the sulfate may be successfully used and is ordinarily mostavailable and can be obtained at cheaper cost. Whereas optimum resultsWith particular crops might be obtained by the use of the hydroxides orchlorides of these metals, nevertheless, because of their cost orunavailability, it is more economical, all things considered, to use thesulfates. I have further observed that while excellent results aresecured by mixtures of compounds of these metals, even better resultsare obtained with the soil mentioned by the further addition of analuminum compound. Here again it may be that while certain compounds ofaluminum may be more desirable in the point of cost, yet because of thebetter results that are obtained by one of the aluminum compounds, Ipreferably select aluminum chloride, even though it is higher in costthan the sulfate.

There are certain crops that may be grown to advantage in regions suchas mentioned, where it is possible to utilize both the subsoil growth,as well as the foliage, such for example, as peanuts. such case both thenuts and the vines are harvested, and it is desirable that the kernelsshould contain a maximum yield of oil and the foliage which contains ahigh percentage of protein should make a maximum yield of hay, inasmuchas it is available for use as cattle food. In checking against peanutsgrown in the soil without the addition of the metallic compounds, I havefound that the greatest yield,

0th as to oil-and hay, is secured by the conditioning or treatment ofthe soil with a mixture of compounds of the three metals copper, zincand aluminum. The yield of oil is many times that of the oil derivedfrom an untreated soil, and the hay yield is many times that of thecontent of the vines grown on untreated soil. In fact, unless the soilis treated, the yield both for the nuts and for the vines is negligible,due both to the presence of uncontrolled soil constituents and to theattack of micro-organisms. The content of oil in the nuts grown in theEverglades is on a par with that of nuts grown elsewhere, but thecontent of protein in the hay is greatly hi her than that grownelsewhere. The met lic compounds do-not affect the percentage of oil orprotein but do increase the percentage per acre, both compared withuntreated soil.

I have heretofore referred to the fact that the soil of the sawgrass re"on is rich in nitrogen. Thisnitrogen is in the form of certain roteinsthat are readily hydrolyzed. The ad tion of the compounds, moreparticularl those of copper, apparently has the effect 0 precipitatingcertain of the proteins a and of controlling their action in promotingthe plant growth. The soil proteins comprise amines, mono-amino acidsand diamino acids. In soils of the type in question, the nitro n of theabove three forms is distributed ni ratios of the three which areopposite to-the ratios of productive soils, and are unfavorable to plantgrowth in these peat soils. By use of a copper compound a ortion of theproteins of the diamino type w ich occur in such soilsin'disproportionate excesses are precipitated so that unavailability oftheir reactions against lant growth is secured; and, accordingly e peatsoils become productive.

The function of the zinc compound is that of a stimulation of thechlorophyll activity of crops grown in these soils, whereby synthesisfor nut and hay production may keep pace with the purely vegetativefunctions. I am unable to account for the beneficial results incident tothe employment of aluminum. It may be that when thealuminumis utilizedin the form of a chloride,

because of its oxidizing action on the soil,

unoxidized' nitrogens are converted into nitrates, which add, of course,a food for the plant. The compounds also are destructive to manyinjurious micro-organisms which inhibit plant growth. The addition ofthese metal compounds may be summarized as effecting precipitation ofthe toxic roteins of the soil, a selective sterilization o thedestructive micro-organisms, a control of nitrification and nitrogenfeeding of the plant, and the alteration of the soil acidity y makinbase exchanges which bring the acid reactlon of the soil close toneutrality.

By way of specific example, I may state that in preparing the sawgr'asssoil of the Everglades for peanuts, I make a thorough admixture of acompound of the metals zinc, copper and aluminum of say, 12 lbs. ZnSO, 2molecules of waters, 50 lbs. CuSO. crystalline, 5 molecules of water),and 60 lbs. A1 01, (anhydrous). This furnishes a sufiicient mixture forone acre. In preparing the mixture, :1. solution of the aluminumchloride, (Al Cl is preferably mixed with damp loose earth (so that itwill flow freely from the container from which it is delivered by thespreading machine), and is then incorporated with the zinc and coppersulfates. The foregoing method of admixin the aluminum chloride withearth has been ound most suitable for its use. However, this compoundmay also be mixed with both or either of-the other compounds mentionedbefore being applied to thesoil. It is not necessary, however, that thethree ingredients should be apphed simultaneously in the form of amixture, as the application of one to the soil may be followed by theseparate application of one, or the others. p

I may point out that in some cases it is possible to use the ores fromwhich the copper and zinc are extractable, instead of the particularcompounds which I have noted. Again, because they affect growth, theremay either be added to the mixture of the compounds of zinc and co per,compounds of other metals, such as c romium, cadmium, manganese,molybdenum, ma

nickel, potash and sulfur, eit er separately or in various admixtures.In selecting these materials there should, of course, be a suitableselection of the radical accompanying the metal. For instance, it ismore esirable in the use of otash to em 10y potassium sulfide and in t ecase of mckel to employ the carbonate.

The mixtures of the metal compounds should preferably be applied to thesoil several days in advance of the planting. The mixtures may bedissolved or suspended in an aqueous vehicle, or they may be distributedin the form of a dust or powder. For use in certain soils these variouscompounds of the metal may be admixed with fertilizers of various kindsand sold and shipped in bulk. For example, mixtures may be made of thesecompounds of the metals and any of the standard fertilizers,ammonia,phosphoric acid, and potash,so that the soil may be esium, lead,

simultaneously provided with the proper nutritive elements for plantgrowth.

I have observed that the effect of the soil treatment is more or lesspermanent and that it is not essential, after once treating the soil, totreat it again until after a considerable period of time has elapsed. Infact, several crops may be successively harvested after the land hasonce been treated, before it is necessary to subject it to retreatment.It has been a matter of interest to note that after the soil has beenprepared by the addition of ZnSO and a crop grown thereon,.it ma benecessary only to treat the soil wit CuSO in order to secure thebeneficial results of both treatments, for various crops thereafter, andthat the zinc and copper additions may be reversed.

I have stated the advisibility of applying the metal compounds to thesoil several days before planting, this being for the reason thatthereby, the corrosive efi'ect upon the seed is greatly reduced.However, I should not regard it as a departure from the presentinvention if, in substitution for the copper sulfate, one should employa zinc-sulfate-calciclime combination, or a copper-sulfate-calcic-limecombination, wherein the corrosive effect of the zinc or copper sulfateis eliininated, or a magnesic lime be substituted for a calcic-lime.

The statements of the facts and theories herein advanced are predicatedupon crops successfully grown on 1800 acres of the sawgrass soil of theEverglades. The preparations or mixtures were broadcast on the soil andin some instances the fields were then lightly harrowed so as to stirthe chemicals into the top soil.

What I claim is 1., A process of conditioning soil of the character ofthe sawgrass soil occurring in the Everglades of Florida for thecultivation of plants therein, which comprises adding thereto apreparation containing the sulphates of zinc and copper, of aluminum.

2. A process of conditioning soil of the character of the sawgrass soiloccurring in the Everglades of Florida for the cultivation of plantstherein, which comprises admixing aluminum chloride with loose,free-flowing earth, incorporating zinc and copper sulphates thereinto,and adding the resulting preparation to the soil.

In testimony whereof I have aflixed my signature.

HAROLD P. VANNAH.

and the chloride

